Experiencing Group.

All in all I thought the group project was a great experience!  I really like working collaboratively with my classmates, and I enjoy having the opportunity to present instead of just handing in a paper.  I thought that my group did a wonderful job distributing the work evenly.  Each of us had a major topic that encompassed two smaller aspects.  We each wrote our share of the paper, and I thought it turned out pretty well.  Paper writing isn’t my strong point, so I was more than happy to be speaking in front of the class when it came time to present.  I also had never worked with Prezi before, so it was great to have a group member like Brayden who knew a lot about it, and could help during the presentation.  Thanks Brayden!!

Some considerations, hmm…only presentations no papers!!  I think that would be a fabulous idea.  I also think that it would have been better to spend more time going over Prezi a little more during class.  I think it’s a great tool, and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to use it, but had it not been for Brayden, I would have been totally lost.  So I suppose in a way maybe he took on more work.  Sorry Brayden!! I feel like I keep going back to the presentations, but really they were my favorite part, because they also gave me the opportunity to see the different ways my classmates used the program.  Definitely a great experience despite the paper :o)

PowerPoint (Hmm...)

This past assignment really got me thinking, which is why I choose to insert “Hmmm…” in my title.  We were asked to create a PowerPoint that would supplement a lesson.  It wasn’t a direct teaching tool, but something that could be interactive.  At first, I had some difficulty understanding what exactly was being asked.  But after I asked a few questions, and listened to those that were being asked by my classmates, I began to piece this project together.  In our PowerPoint we were to cover a standard or standards established by the state of Pennsylvania for our subject area; there didn’t seem like a better place to start then on their website.

I am studying to be a middle level science teacher, and I’m highly interested in environment and ecology.  I scrolled aimlessly through the website for a bit, pausing to stare at the screen read anything that sparked my interest.  This is when I stumbled upon “watersheds,” specifically, the five major watersheds in Pennsylvania.  It was something that apparently all sixth grade science students must know, but I couldn’t name all of them, so I figured this would be a great learning experience.  Not only about PowerPoint, but about Pennsylvania watersheds.

My investigation began with a Google search of “5 major watersheds in Pennsylvania;” turns out there are six.  Who knew?  Can YOU name them?  I had most of the information I needed, now I needed to decide what to do with it.  I always appreciated a nice review before an exam, so that is what I decided to design.  I wanted my PowerPoint to be used as a quick review of previous lessons before students would be assessed.  Basic question and answer seemed easy enough, although quite boring, so I added a few pictures and even a video (which I tried to embed, but ended up just hyperlinking).  I have little experience with PowerPoint, I know the basics, and I’ve made basic presentations for various classes, but definitely nothing extravagant.  I decided to play around with different animations on words, that was fun, I never knew there were so many options.  In the end, I was pretty impressed with my short but sweet little PowerPoint review.  I had branched out of my comfort zone and attempted things with the program that I had never done before (probably because I didn’t realize they were even an option).

      

And then came presentations.  Piece. Of. Cake.  I have taken two public speaking courses and although it sometimes bothers me to stand in front of large audiences, I found our small group to be no problem.  I also really enjoyed seeing everyone else’s PowerPoint.  Other members of my group had included even more aspects that I had not even thought about.  The presentations included wonderful graphics, sounds, and a bit of humor (which I thoroughly enjoyed)! 

All in all I thought it was a great learning experience.  I eased a bit further out of my technological comfort zone, and gained a lot of respect for anyone who puts together an outstanding presentation (it really is SO MUCH work).  PowerPoint is definitely something I want to work with more and learn more about.  I think it would best suit me to take an additional technology course or courses (possibly through an Apple Store, I think they do that, I should look into it).  I enjoy our class now, and feel as though I’m learning a lot, but I wish the class size were smaller in order to provide more one-on-one instruction.  Although it is flattering for some to assume that because I am a young woman with glasses I must know a lot about computers, that could not be further from the truth.  I hope to learn more and more throughout the semester, but for now I am happy with my hyperlinked video and falling words.

End Note: This is the most that I have ever typed for a blog in my life.  IN MY LIFE.  To check out more about me with less words and more pictures (yay!) click here.